Annual An Ri Ra Festival hailed as a success in Butte

Butte, Montana – After the yearly An Ri Ra Festival took place over the weekend in Butte, workers are hard at work tearing down the stage and the tents at the Original Headframe.

According to the festival’s organizers, a large number of locals, visitors, and even people from other countries attended.

They claim they are eagerly anticipating the occurrence the next year.

“We at one point we did a show of hands from within the state, within Butte, or from across the country and we had a lot of people HERE from all over,” said Brendan McDonough, one of the An Ri Ra event organizers.

The event is now in its 19th year, and according to McDonough, the 2023 celebration was a big success.

“It was a great return and a great comeback from last year after a two-year break,” said McDonough.

Attendance, donations, sponsorship, and on-site sales of food, drink, and goods were all indicators of the event’s success. Perhaps the performers’ responses to the festival are what ultimately make it successful.

“Our international performers, they love coming here and the word’s out about Butte, especially in the Irish community,” said McDonough.